Is September Actually the Best Month to Live in Florida?
You know you're a Florida local when…
- You check the weather radar before deciding whether to walk the dog.
- You don't panic when something moves in the bushes.
- You can tell the difference between a “rain shower” and “Oh crap, that's a lot of rain.”
- You have strong opinions about hurricane shutters.
- You consider 89° “rather pleasant outside.”
- You know exactly which roads to avoid during Season.
- You think September beach days are underrated.
Ya know everyone talks about how wonderful Southwest Florida is in January. And it is. But September gives you a different look at Florida. It's quieter, warmer, wetter and, in many ways, a little more real. And that's not a bad thing when you're looking for a home. Because buying in Florida isn't just about the pretty kitchen, the pool or the view. It's about how you want to live here.
How much yard do you really want to maintain? How important is privacy? Do you want a resort-style community with lots of amenities, or something quieter and more independent? And how much would you enjoy having someone else take care of the lawn?
Sometimes the house you weren't looking for turns out to be the one you were meant to find.
We recently started working with a couple who knew exactly what they wanted—or at least they thought they did. They wanted three bedrooms, space between neighbors and privacy. And they really didn't want a large resort-style community. Then we found a home that kinda-mostly checked the boxes on their list..except it was a two-bedroom with an office, and it was in a resort-style community. But it was on the perfect private lot.
We went to see it. We walked in the front door and they saw living their life in this home.
And just like that the idea of no lawn to take care of, a fitness center just a few blocks away, and the convenience of living in a community where so many of the day-to-day details are handled for them seemed very appealing. More beach time, more exploring time, more time. Period.
They walked in looking at a house and walked out knowing they'd found home.
That's one of the things we love about what we do. Sometimes our job isn't to find the house that matches the list. It's to help you discover the possibilities you didn't know you wanted.
Maybe that's the Florida secret.
Southwest Florida offers so many different communities, activities and lifestyles. It’s about finding the right combination of home, location and lifestyle that makes everyday life enjoyable—and feels like home.
And if you happen to have strong opinions about hurricane shutters …well, congratulations. You're becoming a local.
Here are a couple fun things happening in the area this September and early October:
Venice Beach Party Sept 26
Sun Fiesta a weekend of fun Oct 16-18
OktoberFest Punta Gorda Oct 3rd
Wellen Park every Friday night concert
STAT and DATA: Price ranges and Pools
This month we wanted to continue the exploration of "Does a pool matter?" in the SW Florida real estate market. Hmmmm what do you think the numbers will reveal? I put pencil to paper and did some research. I picked Venice, Punta Gorda and Rotonda West in two different price ranges. I found the data rather interesting. Check it out...
One interesting thing to point out is that in the Venice "without pool" sold homes is high. The reason is around 1/2 of those are new construction homes in Wellen Park. Folks are willing to buy a home without a pool especially if it is new.
So, from this snapshot take away a home with a pool is preferred. We, Floridians, love our sunshine and pool floating! At my recent check-up, the doctor asked what I do for exercise. I told him I walk and bike.
“Do you have a pool?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Do you use it?”
“Regularly.”
Although I’m not sure an hour on a pool float qualifies as exercise.
Here are a few homes to check out:
Lovely pool home in Stoneybrook in Venice
Speaking of Florida living this made me laugh...
We would love to get feedback on our new newsletter header!
Happy September to each of you!
Mary & Ray
